Despite intense second half, the Red-and-White fail to overcome FC Dallas’ brace

FRISCO, Texas (Sunday, March 23, 2014) – Chivas USA Reserves (0-0-1) fell, 2-0, to FC Dallas (1-0-0) on Sunday morning at the Toyota Stadium training fields in their first MLS Reserve League match of the 2014 season. The Red-and-White were unable to answer a pair of late goals in each half by FCD forward Tesho Akindele.

Chivas USA faced a very well defensively positioned Dallas squad that gave the Goats very little looks at goal in the first half. However, forward Matthew Fondy managed to break loose in 24th minute of the game on a counter-attack where he tried to link up with Kris Tyrpak, but the rookie’s shot was off target.

The Goats tried to generate their chances with a trio of set pieces in their attacking third in the 34th minute. Midfielder Daniel Fragoso sent a cross to the back post on a corner kick that Agustin Pelletieri headed over the crossbar.

Five minutes later, FCD’s Reserves recorded their first goal when Danny Garcia collected a sliding pass from Michel near midfield. Garcia sent his pass to Akindele to position him alone near the goal, and the young striker managed to send it behind goalkeeper Tim Melia to give the home side the 1-0 lead.

Entering the second half, the Goats seemed refreshed and eager to get the equalizer. Striker Caleb Calvert, who came on as a halftime sub, found a ball set up by Fragoso to the far post off a corner kick in the 50th minute. Calvert’s first-time volley had Dallas ‘keeper Richard Sanchez beat, but center back Nicholas Walker was there to prevent the score and preserve the lead.

Fragoso continued to push Chivas forward by serving dangerous balls into the box in the 54th minute. Trialist Michael Nwiloh got on the end of a cross inside the six-yard box, but a last-minute challenge from Akindele sent his shot off target. Tyrpak followed up in the 62nd minute with a low powerful strike, but Sanchez once again was in position to save the shot and deny the visitors from capitalizing on a rebound.

With only two minutes left in the game, Garcia set up Akindele once again as he dribbled out of danger following a Chivas USA corner kick. The midfielder played a ball into space and the rookie forward cracked a shot that beat second-half substitute goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg to the back post, to secure the 2-0 result in favor of the Texas side.

Chivas USA will return home to prepare for their second road game of the regular season in which they face the New York Red Bulls in the sides’ first and only meeting of the 2014 campaign. For more information log on to cdchivasusa.com and follow the club on Twitter and Facebook.

Toyota Stadium Training Facilities

Chivas USA 0-2 FC Dallas

Goal Summary

FCD – Tesho Akindele (Danny Garcia, Michel) 39’

FCD – Tesho Akindele (Danny Garcia), 89’

Misconduct Summary

FCD – Danny Garcia (Foul, Yellow) 38’

CHV – Agustin Pelletieri (Foul, Yellow) 73’

Lineups

FC Dallas Reserves – Raul Fernandez (Richard Sanchez 46), Zach Loyd (Kris Reaves,^ 69), Nick Walker, Moises Hernandez, Victor Ulloa (Ethan Sonis^ 83), Michel (Cesar Murillo^ 69), Ryan Hollingshead, Danny Garcia, Cobi Span (Diego De La Tejera^ 89), Tesho Akindele, Jonathan Top.

Substitutes not used: Patrick Khouri^, Jesse Gonzalez.

Chivas USA Reserves – Tim Melia (Trevor Spangenberg 46), Andrew Ribeiro, Andrew Jean-Baptiste (Caleb Calvert 46), Michael Nwiloh*, Donald Toia, Kristopher Tyrpak (Javier Castro^ 66), Agustin Pelletieri, Daniel Fragoso, Mario Ledesma^ (Joel Contreras^ 90), Adolfo Bautista (Carlos Alvarez 66), Matthew Fondy.

* – denotes trialist